JOHN Sheridan hailed a "massive win" for Oldham Athletic against Bradford City - a result that lifted them out of the bottom two.

Goals in five first half minutes from Hallam Hope and Davis Keillor-Dunn gave Latics a platform to play from and a lead to protect.

And although Bradford - managerless after the sacking of Derek Adams last week - put up a fair fight, even after going down to 10 men in the second half, Sheridan put the win down to their strong start.

"It's a big win for us. Massive win," said the head coach.

"Every game's massive for us because of the position we're in and I just want the lads to continue the run we're on.

"I thought they got the game over the line in the first half. Getting the goals gives you that platform and something to hold on to.

"I would have liked us to have played a little bit better in the second half and controlled the game a little bit better because they're a good team with some good players.

"I think our first half performance was what won us the game really, to go in 2-0 at half-time, but we still had one or two decent chances."

Sheridan added: "I'm chuffed to bits for the players, the atmosphere and everything about it. We've just got to try to continue the form."

Hope started in the absence of Junior Luamba, who has been ruled out for at least six weeks with a hamstring injury, and Mike Fondop, who was missing from the squad.

When asked about Fondop's situation, Sheridan said: "He's injured. I don't want to talk about Fondop. I want to talk about the players who performed and did really well, players who performed and came into the team and got us a great result."